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Tsunami Preparedness

Earthquake, Tsunami ＆ Volcano Programs

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Am I at Risk?

Tsunamis can affect any part of the coast of California. Impacts to regions will depend on the location and size of the earthquake generating a tsunami and the configuration of the coastline locally. If the origin was nearby, time to take action is short. If the tsunami originated across the ocean, time to respond will be longer.

Knowing if you live, work, shop, vacation, or drop your children off for school in an area that could be impacted by a tsunami is the first step you can take to reducing your risk of injury or decreasing your property damage from the tsunami. As long as you have an address, you can find out if you are at risk by visiting Cal OES’s “My Hazards” and entering your address.

Once you determine your risk, you can begin to prepare your family, employees, students and others to lessen the impacts of an earthquake.

Tsunami Preparedness in Central California and the Bay Area

(video credit to CalOES and USGS)

Tsunami Preparedness in Northern California

(video credit to CalOES and USGS)

Tsunami Preparedness in Southern California

(video credit to CalOES and USGS)

​Tsunami Preparedness along the United States West Coast

(video credit to CalOES and USGS)

​Prepare Your Home and Family

Preparedness refers to activities we do prior to a tsunami to be ready to respond to and recover from significant tsunamis. When it comes to tsunamis, there are simple things you can do to improve the chances you and your loved ones will survive and recover. Anything you do today will be like making a deposit in your survivability savings account for withdrawal in tough times.

One of the first actions you can take to protect your family is to learn when there is potential for a tsunami. Fortunately, a few easily recognizable natural warning signs can help you understand that a tsunami is approaching. They include:

1. Strong, long-lasting ground shaking from an earthquake: if you are on the coast and there is an earthquake, it may have caused a tsunami nearby which could arrive at your location in as little as 5-10 minutes So escape immediately to higher ground or inland (avoiding river valleys). If you are in a tsunami zone marked by signs, follow posted signs to a safe area.

2. Unusual sea-level fluctuations: a noticeable rapid rise or fall in coastal waters is a sign that there may be a tsunami approaching. If you see the water draw out to sea quickly and unexpectedly from a beach exposing the ocean floor (the so-called drawback) or a sudden rise of the sea level, escape immediately to higher ground or inland (avoiding river valleys). If you are in a tsunami zone marked by signs, follow posted signs to a safe area.

3. Abnormally large wave: the first wave in a tsunami wave train is usually not the largest, so if you see an abnormally large wave, even bigger waves could be coming soon. Run immediately to higher ground or inland (avoiding river valleys). If you are in a tsunami zone marked by signs, follow posted signs to a safe area.

4. Loud ocean roar: if you hear a roaring sound offshore, similar to that of a train or jet aircraft, a tsunami may be approaching, so escape immediately to higher ground or inland (avoiding river valleys). If you are in a tsunami zone marked by signs, follow posted signs to a safe area.

If you area at risk for a tsunami, it is recommended you:

1. Plan an evacuation route from your home, school, workplace, or anywhere else you may go that is at risk, for a tsunami. You should be able to reach your safe location on foot within 15 minutes as roads may become impassible or blocked. Local emergency management officials can help advise you of the best route for safety and potential shelter locations.

2. Practice your evacuation route. Familiarity may save your life. Be able to follow your escape route at night and during inclement weather. Practicing your plan makes the appropriate response more of a reaction, requiring less thinking during an actual emergency situation.

3. Use a NOAA Weather Radio with a tone-alert feature to keep you informed of local watches and warnings. The tone alert feature will warn you of potential danger even if you are not currently listening to local radio or television stations.

4. Talk to your insurance agent. Homeowners' policies do not cover flooding from a tsunami. Ask about the National Flood Insurance Program.

5. Discuss tsunami with your family. Everyone should know what to do in case all family members are not together. Discussing tsunamis ahead of time will help reduce fear and anxiety, and let everyone know how to respond. Review flood safety and preparedness measures with your family.

If your home is in or near a tsunami zone, you should be prepared to remain evacuated for at least three days (72 hours). Do not return to low-lying coastal areas after an initial tsunami wave has arrived as other waves or surges are likely to follow the first one and each wave cycle can last approximately 20-30 minutes. Dangerous tsunami wave activity can last for many hours and even days. Keep a disaster kit handy in your home, your car, and in your workplace.

​Preparing Your Workplace

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, American Time Use Survey, in 2013 the average work day for full time employed Americans (age 25-54 with children) was 8.7 hours. A tsunami could occur anytime in that 8.7 hours. Are you prepared? Preparing your workplace is just as important as preparing your home. There are many ways to improve your safety in the event of a tsunami. Here are just a few suggestions:

1. Know if your workplace resides in a location at risk of tsunami.2. Be familiar with your company’s emergency plan.3. Know your local evacuation routes and evacuation sites.4. Keep a pack of personal supplies (including walking shoes) that can be grabbed quickly and easily.5. Keep a list of emergency numbers handy.6. Listen to your radio for safety updates and an official “all clear” message before returning.

​Tsunami Preparedness for Businesses and Organizations

All tsunamis are potentially dangerous, even though they may not damage every coastline they strike. A tsunami can have impacts anywhere along the entire California coastline, including within protected bays, harbors and river valleys. Destructive tsunamis have occurred along the coasts of California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Hawaii as recently as 2011, 2010, 2006, 1964, and 1960.

Knowing if your business is in an area that could be impacted by a tsunami is the first step you can take to reducing your risk of injury and decreasing property damage from a tsunami. As long as you have an address, you can find out if you are at risk by visiting Cal OES’s “My Hazards” and entering the address location.

Once you determine if you are at risk of a tsunami, developing a tsunami preparedness plan is one of the most strategic decisions you can make if you are responsible for a business or organization. A workplace should follow accepted tsunami safety guidelines, but have in place a personalized, well-rehearsed plan to minimize injury and damage during a tsunami. Developing, and putting into place, a Disaster Plan will not only protect employees, but will help minimize the financial impact of a tsunami, and help you recover more quickly.

Many organizations play a role in assisting business owners with their disaster planning. See our "Tools and Resources" to get started preparing before the next earthquake with sample plans, checklists, suggested educational programs for employees, exercise methods, and how to improve plans that are already in place.

​Tsunami Preparedness for Teachers and Schools

​While tsunamis have occurred throughout history, our knowledge and understanding of preparing for them is much more informed in recent years due to advances in science and technology to study them. More than 70 tsunamis have impacted California in the past 150 years, with recent impacts occurring in 2011, 2010, 2009, 2006, 1964, and 1960.

Through planning and education, we are increasingly in a position to ensure the current and upcoming generations make tsunami preparedness a regular part of their routine. As actions from learning to identify areas at risk of tsunami to practicing a “tsunami walk” become the norm, students can take this information and teach their families and friends how to be prepared.

As we learn more, our partners are applying that knowledge to assist teachers, parents and schools in the education of students of all ages and abilities by providing lesson plans, curriculum, activities, games, materials, publications and a multitude of other resources.

For easy access to resources for teaching about tsunamis, see our “Tools and Resources” Section.

​Tsunami Preparedness for Government Agencies and Tribes

The Earthquake, Tsunami and Volcano Program is responsible for the supporting all California governmental agencies to ensure the protection and safety of the populace in the event of an tsunami. To this end, the Program staff are available to provide guidance and assistance to our partners in the preparation of plans to mitigate and plan for, respond to and recover from tsunamis impacting our State. In addition, many resources and guidance materials are available for review to walk developers through the planning process.

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